An SSD designed to expand the storage capacity of the most compact machines.
Always very discreet about the release of its first SSD in PCI Express 5.0, Sabrent prefers to bet on Gen 4.0 with a rather well-seen diversification to take advantage of the craze around the Steam Deck.
“2230” format, only possible for the Steam Deck
Indeed, the American manufacturer of SSD has just confirmed the forthcoming release of a model in “2230” format to complete its range. Until now, Sabrent only had one “2230”, the aptly named Rocket 2230 NVMe 4.0.
A model that is characterized, of course, by its format (22 x 30 millimeters) which allows it to slip into even the most compact devices: this format is thus the only one accepted by the Steam Deck to replace the SSD delivered by Valve . In doing so, it is the only way to increase the internal capacity of the machine from 256/512 GB to 1 TB.
The Rocket 2230 NVMe 4.0 is available in three capacities and peaks at 1 TB, which is double what Valve can offer. Still, some users always want more, they feel cramped with 1 TB.
A price that “stings a little”
With its SN740, Western Digital was the first to offer greater storage capacity on a “2230” SSD. Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not seem determined to make its product widely available: it has also refused to send us a test model.
Sabrent therefore has a shot to play with its brand new Rocket Q M.2-2230. The beast obviously does not innovate on the format (22 x 30 mm), but is limited to two capacities, to choose from, 1 TB or 2 TB with the Steam Deck lens in the viewfinder as you can see on the picture above.
At PCIe Gen 4.0, the SSD is rated for 5 GB/s sequential read and 3.2 GB/s sequential write. Write endurance (450 TB) seems a little low, but nothing dramatic. Note, however, that on its product page, Sabrent does not detail the 1 TB model at all.
A 1 TB model that could come out a little after the 2 TB version? Indeed, if the latter does not have more marketing dates, pre-orders are already open and they give the price of the beast: 219.99 dollars.
Source: Sabrent press release
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